KATHMANDU: According to the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) report Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation of Nepal, year-on-year (y-o-y) consumer price inflation reached 5.41 percent in mid-January 2025, slightly higher than 5.26 percent recorded the previous year.
The report is based on data from the first six months of the fiscal year 2024/25, ending in mid-January.
Food and beverage inflation was recorded at 7.67 percent, while non-food and services inflation stood at 4.19 percent during the review period.
This compares to 5.75 percent and 4.93 percent in the same period last year, respectively.
Within the food and beverage sector, the y-o-y price index for vegetables rose by 28.52 percent, ghee and oil by 10.67 percent, pulses and legumes by 9.48 percent, and cereal grains and products by 7.23 percent.
On the other hand, the price index for spices fell by 3.12 percent.
In the non-food and services category, the y-o-y price index for miscellaneous goods and services increased by 9.35 percent, alcoholic beverages by 7.01 percent, clothing and footwear by 6.75 percent, and household furnishings by 5.29 percent.
The y-o-y price index in rural areas rose by 5.68 percent, while urban areas saw a smaller increase of 5.31 percent during the review period.
By province, the y-o-y consumer price inflation in mid-January 2025 was as follows: Koshi Province at 6.73 percent, Madhesh Province at 5.96 percent, Bagmati Province at 5.14 percent, Gandaki Province at 4.37 percent, Lumbini Province at 4.83 percent, Karnali Province at 4.60 percent, and Sudurpashchim Province at 5.67 percent.
The inflation rates for the Kathmandu Valley, Terai, Hill, and Mountain regions were 5.03 percent, 5.60 percent, 5.41 percent, and 5.27 percent, respectively.